Cyclophosphazene compound, lubricant comprising same, and magnetic disk

ABSTRACT

A cyclophosphazene compound of the formula (I), and lubricants and magnetic disks using the compound 
                         
wherein n is 2, 3 or 4, m is an integer of 1 to 12, R is C 1-4  fluoroalkyl and Rf is —CF 2 O(CF 2 CF 2 O) x (CF 2 O) y CF 2 — or —CF 2 CF 2 O(CF 2 CF 2 CF 2 O) z CF 2 CF 2 — in which x, y and z are each 0 or a positive real number to give a number average molecular weight of 500 to 4000 to a fluoropolyether of the formula HOCH 2 —Rf—CH 2 OH including said Rf, the fluoropolyether having a molecular weight distribution (PD) of 1.0 to 1.5.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cyclophosphazene compound having acyclophosphazene group and hydroxyl groups in the molecule andlubricants and magnetic disks using the compound.

BACKGROUND ART

With an increase in the recording density of magnetic disks, thedistance between the magnetic disk serving as a recording medium and thehead for use in recording of information or playback has become almostnil close to contact therebetween. The magnetic disk is provided overthe surface thereof with a carbon protective film or lubricant film forthe purpose of diminishing abrasion due to the contact or sliding of thehead thereon or preventing contamination of the disk surface.

The carbon protective film is produced generally by the sputteringprocess or CVD process. Since the disk surface is protected with the twofilms, i.e., the carbon protective film and the lubricant filmthereover, the interaction between the carbon protective film and thelubricant is important.

The lubricants generally in use are perfluoropolyethers havingfunctional groups. Examples of functional groups are hydroxyl, amino andcyclophosphazene group. More specific examples of lubricants includePHOSFAROL A20H, product of Matsumura Oil Research Corporation which isrepresented by the formula (II)

wherein n is 3 and Rf is —CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂— (PatentLiterature 1).

Particularly, lubricants having a phosphazene group are materials havinghigh resistance to decomposition and known as materials for giving highdurability to magnetic disks (for example, Patent Literature 2, 3).However, with reference to the lubricant of Patent Literature 2, claim 1therein defines a compound wherein n is an integer of 1 to 5, whereasthe preparation process of the patent concerned affords only a mixturewhich is not satisfactory in lubricating performance. With the lubricantof Patent Literature 3, a cyclophosphazene ring has a fluoropolyethermain chain wherein the number of substituent is 1, and the lubricant islow in bonded ratio as listed in Table 1 given later.

Patent Literature 1: WO 2010/027096

Patent Literature 2: JP 2000-260017A

Patent Literature 3: JP 2004-352999A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Under the condition wherein the head is at such a distance from the diskthat it is almost in contact therewith, the use of the lubricant havinga phosphazene group and highly resistant to decomposition involves theproblem that the head needs to be prevented from moving into contactwith the disk. Heretofore proposed as means for dissolving this problemare techniques for causing the lubricant to adsorb to the carbonprotective film more effectively by introducing plural ofperfluoropolyethers into cyclophosphazene group and incorporatinghydroxyl group at the terminal of the group (for example, PatentLiterature 1). However, the lubricant of Patent Literature 1 cannot formstrong bonding with a polar site of the carbon protective film under thelubricant, due to steric influence of fluorine atom adjacent to hydroxylgroup, possibly spattering the lubricant at high-speed rotation of thedisk.

Further, it is effective to adjust a molecular weight distribution (PD,weight average molecular weight/number average molecular weight) offluoropolyether of phosphazene compound in order to improve lubricantproperty and adherence to the protective layer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stable compound whichremains free of decomposition even when brought into contact with thehead and which exhibits good adhering properties to the carbonprotective film, and lubricants and magnetic disks using the compound.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides the following.

1. A cyclophosphazene compound of the formula (I)

wherein n is 2, 3 or 4, m is an integer of 1 to 12, R is C₁₋₄fluoroalkyl and Rf is —CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂— or—CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂— in which x, y and z are each 0 or apositive real number to give a number average molecular weight of 500 to4000 to a fluoropolyether of the formula HOCH₂—Rf—CH₂OH including saidRf, the fluoropolyether having a molecular weight distribution (PD) of1.0 to 1.5.

2. A lubricant containing a compound of the formula (I).

3. A magnetic disk comprising a substrate having at least a recordinglayer and a protective layer formed thereover and a lubricating layerprovided over the resulting surface, the lubricating layer containing acompound of the formula (I).

The present perfluoropolyether compound having cyclophosphazene group inthe molecular main chain and alkylalcohol group in the molecularterminal provides a lubricant which solves the two problems of excellentadhering properties and resistance to lubricant decomposition at thesame time.

EMBODIMENT OF PRACTICING THE INVENTION

Process for Preparing Lubricant

The lubricant of the invention is obtained, for example, by reacting astraight-chain fluoropolyether having hydroxyl at one of oppositeterminals and an alkylacetal group, alkylester group or alkylsilyl groupat the other terminal with a cyclophosphazene halide compoundsubstituted with phenoxy group, and thereafter hydrolyzing the resultingcompound. Stated more specifically, the lubricant is prepared by theprocess to be described below.

(a) Preparation of Straight-Chain Fluoropolyether Having Hydroxyl at OneTerminal and an Alkylacetal Group, Alkylester Group or Alkylsilyl Groupat the Other Terminal

A straight-chain fluoropolyether having hydroxyl at opposite terminalsis mixed with a compound reactive with hydroxyl to produce analkylacetal group, alkylester group or alkylsilyl group, and sodiummetal, and the mixture is stirred with heating. The reaction temperatureis 20 to 90° C., preferably 50 to 70° C. The reaction time is 20 to 200hours, preferably 110 to 130 hours. The compound for forming analkylacetal group, alkylester group or alkylsilyl group is usedpreferably in an amount of 0.5 to 2.0 equivalents relative to theperfluoropolyether. Sodium metal is used preferably in an amount of 0.5to 4.0 equivalents relative to the perfluoropolyether. The reactionmixture is thereafter purified, for example, by column chromatography toobtain a straight-chain fluoropolyether having hydroxyl at one terminaland an alkylacetal group, alkylester group or alkylsilyl group at theother terminal.

The fluoropolyether having hydroxyl at opposite terminals can be, forexample, a compound of the formula HOCH₂—Rf—CH₂OH wherein Rf is—CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂— or —CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂—. Thefluoropolyether is 500 to 4000, preferably 1000 to 3000, more preferably1800 to 2200, in number average molecular weight. The number averagemolecular weight mentioned is a value measured by ¹⁹F-NMR usingJNM-ECX400, product of JEOL Ltd. For NMR measurement, the sample itselfwas used without dilution with a solvent. As a reference for chemicalshift, a known peak was used which is a portion of fluoropolyetherskeleton structure.

x is a real number of 1 to 33, preferably 1 to 25, more preferably 1 to18. y is a real number of 0 to 60, preferably 0 to 43 and morepreferably 0 to 31. z is a real number of 1 to 23, preferably 4 to 17,more preferably 9 to 12.

The fluoropolyether of the foregoing formula HOCH₂—Rf—CH₂OH is acompound having a molecular weight distribution. The molecular weightdistribution (PD), which is weight average molecular weight/numberaverage molecular weight, is 1.0 to 1.5, preferably 1.0 to 1.4, morepreferably 1.0 to 1.3 and particularly preferably 1.05 to 1.2. Themolecular weight distribution is a characteristic value obtained byusing HPLC-8220GPC, product of Tosoh Co., Ltd., column (PLgel Mixed E),product of Polymer Laboratories, eluent which is HCFC-type alternativeCFC and a non-functional perfluoropolyether serving as a referencematerial.

Examples of compounds reactive with hydroxyl for forming an alkylacetalgroup, alkylester group or alkylsilyl group are an ether compound of theformulaYC_(m)H_(2m)OCH₂OR^(a)(Y is halogen atom, m is an integer of 1 to 12, R^(a) is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,pyrryl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl or C₆₋₁₀ aralkyl), ester compound of the formulaYC_(m)H_(2m)OCOR^(b)(Y is halogen atom, m is an integer of 1 to 12, R^(b) is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,C₆₋₁₀ aryl or C₆₋₁₀ aralkyl) and silane compound of the formulaYC_(m)H_(2m)OSi(R^(c))(R^(d))(R^(e))(Y is halogen atom, m is an integer of 1 to 12, R^(c), R^(d) and R^(e)are same or different and are each C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl or C₆₋₁₀aralkyl).

Examples of C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyland octyl.

Examples of C₆₋₁₀ aryl groups are phenyl, tolyl and isopropylphenyl.

Examples of C₆₋₁₀ aralkyl groups are benzyl, phenylethyl, tolylmethyland isopropylphenylethyl.

Specific examples are 2-chloroethyl methoxymethyl ether, 2-bromoethylmethoxymethyl ether, 2-chloroethyl ethoxymethyl ether, 2-bromoethylethoxymethyl ether, 2-(2-chloroethoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran,2-(2-bromoethoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran, 2-chloroethyl benzyloxymethylether, 2-bromoethyl benzyloxymethyl ether, 2-chloroethyl acetate,2-bromoethyl acetate, 2-chloroethyl benzoate, 2-bromoethyl benzoate,2-chloroethyl trimethylsilyl ether, 2-bromoethyl trimethylsilyl ether,2-chloroethyl triisopropylsilyl ether, 2-bromoethyl triisopropylsilylether, 2-chloroethyl t-butyldimethylsilyl ether, 2-bromoethylt-butyldimethylsilyl ether, 4-chlorobutyl methoxymethyl ether,4-bromobutyl methoxymethyl ether, 4-chlorobutyl ethoxymethyl ether,4-bromobutyl ethoxymethyl ether, 2-(4-chlorobutoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran,2-(4-bromobutoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran, 4-chlorobutyl benzyloxymethylether, 4-bromobutyl benzyloxymethyl ether, 4-chlorobutyl acetate,4-bromobutyl acetate, 4-chlorobutyl benzoate, 4-bromobutyl benzoate,4-chlorobutyl trimethylsilyl ether, 4-bromobutyl trimethylsilyl ether,4-chlorobutyl triisopropylsilyl ether, 4-bromobutyl triisopropylsilylether, 4-chlorobutyl t-butyldimethylsilyl ether, 4-bromobutylt-butyldimethylsilyl ether, 6-chlorohexyl methoxymethyl ether,4-bromohexyl methoxymethyl ether, 6-chlorohexyl ethoxymethyl ether,6-bromohexyl ethoxymethyl ether,2-(6-chlorohexyloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran,2-(6-bromohexyloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran, 6-chlorohexyl benzyloxymethylether, 6-bromohexyl benzyloxymethyl ether, 6-chlorohexyl acetate,6-bromohexyl acetate, 6-chlorohexyl benzoate, 6-bromohexyl benzoate,6-chlorohexyl trimethylsilyl ether, 6-bromohexyl trimethylsilyl ether,6-chlorohexyl triisopropylsilyl ether, 6-bromohexyl triisopropylsilylether, 6-chlorohexyl t-butyldimethylsilyl ether, 6-bromohexylt-butyldimethylsilyl ether, 8-chlorooctyl methoxymethyl ether,8-bromooctyl methoxymethyl ether, 8-chlorooctyl ethoxymethyl ether,8-bromooctyl ethoxymethyl ether,2-(8-chlorooctyloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran,2-(8-bromooctyloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran, 8-chlorooctyl benzyloxymethylether, 8-bromooctyl benzyloxymethyl ether, 8-chlorooctyl acetate,8-bromooctyl acetate, 8-chlorooctyl benzoate, 8-bromooctyl benzoate,8-chlorooctyl trimethylsilyl ether, 8-bromooctyl trimethylsilyl ether,8-chlorooctyl triisopropylsilyl ether, 8-bromooctyl triisopropylsilylether, 8-chlorooctyl t-butyldimethylsilyl ether, 8-bromooctylt-butyldimethylsilyl ether, 12-chlorododecyl methoxymethyl ether,12-bromododecyl methoxymethyl ether, 12-chlorododecyl ethoxymethylether, 12-bromododecyl ethoxymethyl ether,2-(12-chlorododecyloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran,2-(12-bromododecyoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyrran, 12-chlorododecylbenzyloxymethyl ether, 12-bromododecyl benzyloxymethyl ether,12-chlorododecyl acetate, 12-bromododecyl acetate, 12-chlorododecylbenzoate, 12-bromododecyl benzoate, 12-chlorododecyl trimethylsilylether, 12-bromododecyl trimethylsilyl ether, 12-chlorododecyltriisopropylsilyl ether, 12-bromododecyl triisopropylsilyl ether,12-chlorododecyl t-butyldimethylsilyl ether and 12-bromododecylt-butyldimethylsilyl ether.

(b) Preparation of Lubricant of the Invention

The fluoropolyether obtained by the above procedure (a) and acyclophosphazene of the formula (RC₆H₄O)_(6-n)—(P₃N₃)—X_(n) having nhalogen atoms are stirred with heating along with sodium or like alkalimetal. n is 2, 3 or 4, and the cyclophosphazene material is at least80%, preferably at least 90%, in purity. The reaction temperature is 30to 100° C., preferably 50 to 80° C. The reaction time is 20 to 100hours, preferably 50 to 80 hours. It is desirable to use 0.5 to 3.0equivalents of the perfluoropolyether obtained by the foregoingprocedure (a) and 0.5 to 3.0 equivalents of the alkali metal relative tothe halogen atoms. The reaction may be conducted in a solvent, followed,for example, by dewatering. The acetal group, ester group or silyl groupremaining at one terminal of the perfluoropolyether is thereafterremoved as by hydrolysis for deprotection (removal of the acetal group,ester group or silyl group), followed by fractionation by columnchromatography, supercritical fluid extraction or the like to obtain thedesired compound as a single fraction.

R in the substituent of the cyclophosphazene of the formula(RC₆H₄O)_(6-n)—(P₃N₃)—X_(n) is a fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms, such as perfluoroalkyl, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl,1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluoropropyl and 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutyl having1 to 4 carbon atoms. The position of the substitution with R may be anyof the ortho, meta and para positions.

In the cyclophosphazene of the formula (RC₆H₄O)_(6-n)—(P₃N₃)—X_(n)having n halogen atoms, X can be, for example, chlorine, bromine oriodine.

When the lubricant of the present invention is to be used for magneticdisks, n is preferably 2, 3 or 4, more preferably 3 or 4, and mostpreferably 3, m is preferably 1 to 12, more preferably 2 to 6, and mostpreferably 2 to 4.

The compound of the present invention is applied to the magnetic disksurface by diluting the compound with a solvent and coating the disksurface with the diluted compound. Examples of useful solvents arePF-5060, PF-5080, HFE-7100, HFE-7200 and HFE-7300 manufactured by 3M,Vertrel-XF, product of DuPont, etc. The concentration of the compound asdiluted is up to 1 wt. %, preferably 0.001 to 0.1 wt. %.

While the compound of the invention is usable singly, the compound canbe used also as mixed in a desired ratio with another material, such asFomblin Zdol, Ztetraol, Zdol TX, AM manufactured by Solvay Solexis,Demnum manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd., Krytox manufactured byDuPont, or the like.

The compound of the present invention enables the head to be spaced by asmall distance from the magnetic disk inside magnetic disk devices andis useful as a lubricant for giving improved durability under a slidingcondition. The compound of the invention is characterized by theinteraction of the hydroxyl at the terminal of the molecule with thepolar site present in the carbon protective film and by the interactionof the aromatic group in the molecular chain with carbon unsaturatedbonds present in the carbon protective film. Accordingly, the compoundis usable as a surface protective film for magnetic heads, photomagneticrecording devices, magnetic tapes, plastics and like organic materialshaving a carbon protective film, and also as a surface protective filmfor inorganic materials such as Si₃N₄, SiC and SiO₂.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view schematically showing the magnetic disk ofthe invention. The magnetic disk of the invention comprises a substrate1, at least one recording layer 2 formed on the substrate 1, aprotective layer 3 on the recording layer 2 and a lubricant layer 4formed thereon, as an outermost layer, which contains the lubricant ofthe invention. The substrate is composed of aluminum alloy, glass andlike ceramics, polycarbonate or the like.

The recording layer of the magnetic disk, i.e., the magnetic layer iscomposed of mainly elements capable of forming ferromagnetic bodies,such as iron, cobalt or nickel, alloy or oxide containing chromium,platinum or tantalum in addition to such elements. These materials areapplied by, e.g., a plating method or a sputtering method. Theprotective layer is formed of carbon, SiC, SiO₂ or the like. The layeris formed by a sputtering method or CVD method.

Lubricant layers presently available are up to 30 Å in thickness, sothat when a lubricant having a viscosity of higher than about 100 mPa·sat 20° C. is applied as it is, the resulting film is likely to have anexcessively large thickness. Accordingly the lubricant for use incoating is used as dissolved in a solvent. When the compound of thepresent invention is applied as dissolved in a solvent, the filmthickness to be obtained is easy to control in the case where thepresent compound serves singly as a lubricant and also in the case wherethe compound is used as mixed with other lubricant. The concentrationvaries with the method and conditions of application, mixing ratio, etc.The lubricant film of the present invention is preferably 5 to 15 Å inthickness.

In order to assure the lubricant of improved adhesion to the groundlayer, the lubricant applied can be subjected to heat treatment orultraviolet treatment. The heat treatment is conducted at 60 to 150° C.,preferably at 80 to 150° C. The ultraviolet treatment is conducted usingultraviolet rays of 185 nm and 254 nm in main wavelength.

The magnetic disk of the invention can be applied to a magnetic diskapparatus which can accommodate the disk and which is provided with amagnetic disk drive including a head for recording, reproducing anderasing information and a motor for rotating the disk; and with acontrol system for controlling the drive. Examples of recording methodsof magnetic disk devices are in-plane magnetic recording, perpendicularmagnetic recording and heat-assisted magnetic recording. The lubricantis applicable also to discrete-track magnetic disks and bit-patternedmagnetic disks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a section view showing the structure of the magnetic disk ofthe invention. Indicated at 1 is a substrate; at 2, a recording layer;at 3, a protective layer; and at 4, a lubricant layer.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to thefollowing examples and test examples to which, however, the invention isnot limited.

Example 1 Preparation of (m-CF₃—C₆H₄O)₃—(P₃N₃)—(O—CH₂—Rf—CH₂OCH₂CH₂OH)₃

(Lubricant 1)

Rf is —CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂—.

Ditrifluoromethylbenzene (180 g), 90 g of a fluoropolyether (1995 innumber average molecular weight, 1.09 in molecular weight distribution)of the formula HOCH₂—CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂CH₂—OH,2-(2-bromoethoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (18 g) and metallic sodium (4 g)were stirred in an argon atmosphere at 60° C. for 120 hours. Thereaction mixture was thereafter washed with water, dewatered andpurified by silica gel column chromatography to obtain 30 g of aperfluoropolyether (average molecular weight 2000) having one hydroxylgroup at one terminal and a 2-(ethoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran group at theother terminal. The compound (30 g) was dissolved inditrifluoromethylbenzene (60 g), metallic sodium (0.5 g) and 8 g ofcyclophosphazene of the formula (m-CF₃—C₆H₄O)₃—(P₃N₃)—Cl₃ having 3chlorine atoms were added to the solution, and the mixture was stirredat 70° C. for 70 hours. The acetal group was then hydrolyzed at roomtemperature with p-toluenesulfonic acid (20 g), thereafter washed withwater, dewatered and purified by silica gel column chromatography toobtain 12 g of the desired Lubricant 1.

Lubricant 1 was a colorless transparent liquid and 1.75 g/cm³ in densityat 20° C. Lubricant 1 was identified by NMR with the result shown.

¹⁹F-NMR (solvent: none, reference material: OCF₂CF ₂CF ₂CF₂O in theobtained product being taken as −125.8 ppm):

δ=−52.1, −53.7, −55.4 ppm

[56 F, —OCF ₂O—],

δ=−64.1 ppm

[9F (CF ₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF₂—)₃],

δ=−78.0 ppm, −80.0 ppm

[6F, —CF ₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂H],

δ=−78.7 ppm, −80.7 ppm

[6F (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF ₂—)₃],

δ=−89.1 ppm, −90.7 ppm

[118F, —OCF ₂CF ₂O—]

x=9.8 y=9.4

¹H-NMR (solvent: none, reference material: D₂O):

δ=3.53˜3.82 ppm

[24H, —CF₂CH ₂OCH ₂CH ₂OH, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH ₂CF₂—)₃],

δ=4.61 ppm

[3H, —CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OH],

δ=6.78˜7.35 ppm

[12H, (CF₃C₆ H ₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF₂—)₃]

Example 2 Preparation of (m-CF₃—C₆H₄O)₃—(P₃N₃)—(O—CH₂—Rf—CH₂OCH₂CH₂OH)₃

(Lubricant 2)

Rf is —CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂—.

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated with the exception of using afluoropolyether (1836 in number average molecular weight, 1.17 inmolecular weight distribution) of the formulaHOCH₂—CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂CH₂—OH, whereby 10 g of the desiredLubricant 2 was obtained.

Lubricant 2 was a colorless transparent liquid and had a density of 1.79g/cm³ at 20° C. Lubricant 2 was identified by NMR with the result shown.

¹⁹F-NMR (solvent: none, reference material: OCF₂CF ₂CF₂O in the obtainedproduct being taken as −129.7 ppm):

δ=−83.7 ppm

[118F, —CF ₂CF₂CF ₂O—],

δ=−86.3 ppm

[6F, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF₂CF ₂—)₃],

δ=−86.7 ppm

[6F, —CF ₂CF₂CH₂OCH₂OCH₂CH₂OH],

δ=−124.4 ppm

[6F, —CF₂CF ₂CH₂OCH₂OCH₂CH₂OH],

δ=−124.8 ppm

[6F, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF ₂CF₂—)₃],

δ=−129.7 ppm

[59F, —CF₂CF ₂CF₂O—],

Z=9.8

¹H-NMR (solvent: none, reference material: D₂O):

δ=3.72˜4.19 ppm

[24H, —CF₂CF₂CH ₂OCH ₂CH ₂OH, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH ₂CF₂CF₂—)₃],

δ=4.34 ppm

[3H, —CF₂CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OH],

δ=6.83˜7.31 ppm

[12H, (CF₃C₆ H ₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF₂CF₂—)₃]

Example 3 Preparation of(m-CF₃—C₆H₄O)₃—(P₃N₃)—(O—CH₂—Rf—CH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH)₃

(Lubricant 3)

Rf is —CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂—.

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated with the exception of using2-(4-bromobutoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran in place of2-(2-bromoethoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran, whereby 11 g of the desiredLubricant 3 was obtained.

Lubricant 3 was a colorless transparent liquid and had a density of 1.80g/cm³ at 20° C. Lubricant 3 was identified by NMR with the result shown.

¹⁹F-NMR (solvent: none, reference material: OCF₂CF ₂CF ₂CF₂O in theobtained product being taken as −125.8 ppm): δ=−52.1, −53.7, −55.4 ppm

[58F, —OCF ₂O—],

δ=−64.1 ppm

[9F, (CF ₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF₂—)₃],

δ=−78.0 ppm, −80.0 ppm

[6F, —CF ₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH],

δ=−78.7 ppm, −80.7 ppm

[6F, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF ₂—)₃],

δ=−89.1 ppm, −90.7 ppm

[113F, —OCF ₂CF ₂O—]

x=9.4 y=9.6

¹H-NMR (solvent: none, reference material: D₂O):

δ=1.53˜2.07 ppm

[12H, —CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH ₂CH ₂CH₂OH],

δ=3.53˜3.82 ppm

[24H, —CF₂CH ₂OCH ₂CH₂CH₂CH ₂OH, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH ₂CF₂—)₃],

δ=5.04 ppm

[3H, —CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH],

δ=6.78˜7.35 ppm

[12H, (CF₃C₆ H ₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF₂—)₃]

Example 4 Preparation of(m-CF₃—C₆H₄O)₃—(P₃N₃)—(O—CH₂—Rf—CH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH)₃

(Lubricant 4)

Rf is —CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂—.

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated with the exception of using afluoropolyether (1836 in number average molecular weight, 1.17 inmolecular weight distribution) of the formulaHOCH₂—CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂CH₂—OH, and using2-(4-bromobutoxy)-tetrahydro-2H-pyran in place of2-(2-bromoethoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran, whereby 9 g of the desiredLubricant 4 was obtained.

Lubricant 4 was a colorless transparent liquid and had a density of 1.82g/cm³ at 20° C. Lubricant 4 was identified by NMR with the result shown.

¹⁹F-NMR (solvent: none, reference material: OCF₂CF ₂CF₂O in the obtainedproduct being taken as −129.7 ppm):

δ=−83.7 ppm

[114F, —CF ₂CF₂CF ₂O—],

δ=−86.3 ppm

[6F, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF₂CF ₂)₃],

δ=−86.7 ppm

[6F, —CF ₂CF₂CH₂OCH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH],

δ=−124.4 ppm

[6F, —CF₂CF ₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH],

δ=−124.8 ppm

[6F, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF ₂CF₂—)₃],

δ=−129.7 ppm

[57F, —CF₂CF ₂CF₂O—],

Z=9.5

¹H-NMR (solvent: none, reference material: D₂O):

δ=1.34˜1.70 ppm

[12H, —CF₂CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH ₂CH ₂CH₂OH],

δ=3.72˜4.19 ppm

[24H, —CF₂CF₂CH ₂OCH ₂CH₂CH₂CH ₂OH, (CF₃C₆H₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH ₂CF₂CF₂—)₃],

δ=4.34 ppm

[3H, —CF₂CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH],

δ=6.83˜7.31 ppm

[12H, (CF₃C₆ H ₄O)₃—P₃N₃—(OCH₂CF₂CF₂—)₃]

Test Example 1 Measurement of Bonded Ratio

Each of Lubricants 1 to 4 prepared in Examples 1 to 4 was dissolved inVertrel-XF, product of DuPont. The solution was 0.05 wt. % in theconcentration of the lubricant. A magnetic disk, 3.5 inches in diameter,was immersed in the solution for 1 minute and then withdrawn at a rateof 2 mm/s. The disk was thereafter held in a constant-temperaturechamber at 150° C. for 10 minutes to promote the adhesion of thelubricant to the disk surface. The average film thickness of thecompound on the disk was subsequently measured by a Fourier TransformInfrared Spectrometer (FT-IR). This film thickness was taken as f Å.Next, the disk was immersed in Vertrel-XF for 10 minutes, withdrawn at arate of 10 mm/s and thereafter allowed to stand at room temperature forthe evaporation of the solvent. The compound remaining on the disk wasthereafter checked by FT-IR for average film thickness. This filmthickness was taken as b Å. The bonded ratio generally in use was usedas an indicator for showing the strength of adhesion of the film to thedisk. The bonded ratio was expressed by the equation given below.Bonded ratio (%)=100×b/f

Test Example 2 Evaluation of Retention Property of Lubricant on DiskUnder High-Speed Rotation

Each of Lubricants 1 to 4 prepared in Examples 1 to 4 was dissolved inVertrel-XF, product of DuPont. The solution was 0.05 wt. % in theconcentration of the lubricant. A magnetic disk, 3.5 inches in diameter,was immersed in the solution for 1 minute and then withdrawn at a rateof 2 mm/s. The average film thickness of the compound on the disk wassubsequently measured by FT-IR. This film thickness was taken as h Å.The disk coated with the lubricant was thereafter rotated at high speedof 15000 rpm for two weeks under temperature of 60 to 70° C. andhumidity of 60 to 70 RH %. The compound remaining on the disk wasthereafter checked by FT-IR for average film thickness. This filmthickness was taken as c Å. The lubricant retention ratio was used as anindicator for showing the strength of retention property of the film tothe disk. The lubricant retention ratio was expressed by the equationgiven below.Lubricant retention ratio (%)=100×c/h

Test Example 3 Measurement of Decomposition Resistance to Aluminum Oxide

A sample was used for evaluation which was prepared from each ofLubricants 1 to 4, by adding 20 wt. % of Al₂O₃ to the lubricant,intensely shaking the mixture and thereafter thoroughly agitating themixture with ultrasonic waves. The sample was checked for decompositionresistance using a thermal analyzer (TG/TDA). The sample was heated at250° C. for 100 minutes, and the weight reduction of the lubricant wasmeasured. The test was conducted with use of 20 mg of the sample undernitrogen atmosphere. For comparison, 20 mg of each of Lubricants 1 to 4was thermally analyzed in the same manner as above with the exception ofadding no Al₂O₃.

For comparison, Lubricant 5 and Lubricant 6 of the formula (II) belowwherein n is 1 and n is 3, respectively, were used. Also used wasLubricant 7 of the formula HOCH₂CH(OH)CH₂O—Rf—OCH₂CH(OH)—CH₂OH havingtwo hydroxyl groups at both terminals respectively.

In the Lubricant 5, R is m-CF₃, Rf is —CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)—CF₂—,x is 9.1 and y is 8.9. The compound is 1.05 in molecular weightdistribution. In the Lubricant 6, R is m-CF₃, Rf is—CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)—CF₂—, x is 9.4 and y is 9.1. The compoundis 1.18 in molecular weight distribution. In the Lubricant 7, Rf is—CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂—, x is 9.8 and y is 9.7. The compound is1.20 in molecular weight distribution.

Table 1 shows the results of Test Examples 1 to 3. These resultsindicate that the lubricants 1 to 4 of the invention are confirmed tobond to the magnetic disk at strong adhering properties compared withlubricants 5 to 7. The lubricants 1 to 4 of the invention are confirmedto have higher retention ratio compared with lubricants 5 to 6, and havesimilar retention ratio to lubricant 7. As to the decompositionresistance to aluminum oxide, the lubricants 1 to 4 of the inventionhaving cyclophosphazene group in the molecule as well as lubricants 5 to6 have excellent resistance to decomposition. From the above, it isconfirmed that the present perfluoropolyether lubricant havingcyclophosphazene group and alkylalcohol group in the molecule solves thetwo problems of resistance to lubricant decomposition and high adheringproperties at the same time.

TABLE 1 Lubricant retention ratio on disk under Specimen Bonded ratio(%)high-speed rotation (%) Lubricant 1 92 72 (Example 1) Lubricant 2 91 71(Example 2) Lubricant 3 95 78 (Example 3) Lubricant 4 94 77 (Example 4)Lubricant 5 15 23 (Com. Example) Lubricant 6 65 50 (Com. Example)Lubricant 7 40 71 (Com. Example) Ratio of decrease in Ratio of decreasein weight (wt %) with weight (wt %) without Specimen Al₂O₃ Al₂O₃Lubricant 1 <1 <1 (Example 1) Lubricant 2 <1 <1 (Example 2) Lubricant 3<1 <1 (Example 3) Lubricant 4 <1 <1 (Example 4) Lubricant 5 5 6 (Com.Example) Lubricant 6 <1 <1 (Com. Example) Lubricant 7 39 26 (Com.Example)

Example 5 Preparation of Magnetic Disk

Each of Lubricants 1 to 4 was dissolved in Vertrel-XF, product ofDuPont. The solution was 0.05 wt. % in the concentration of thecompound. A magnetic disk, 3.5 inches in diameter, was immersed in thesolution for 1 minute and then withdrawn at a rate of 2 mm/s. The diskwas thereafter dried at 150° C. for 10 minutes. The coated compound wasthereafter checked by FT-IR for film thickness.

Table 2 shows the results. It was confirmed that the magnetic disk canbe obtained which is coated with the present compound and solves the twoproblems of high adhering properties and resistance to decomposition atthe same time.

TABLE 2 Specimen Film thickness (Å) Lubricant 1 14 Lubricant 2 13Lubricant 3 15 Lubricant 4 14

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present perfluoropolyether compound having cyclophosphazene group inthe molecular main chain and alkylalcohol group in the molecularterminal provides a lubricant which solves the two problems of excellentadhering properties and resistance to lubricant decomposition at thesame time.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound represented by formula (I):

wherein n is 2, 3 or 4, m is 2, R is C₁₋₄ fluoroalkyl and Rf is—CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂— or —CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂— inwhich x, y and z are each 0 or a positive real number to give a numberaverage molecular weight of 500 to 4000 to a fluoropolyether of theformula HOCH₂—Rf—CH₂OH including said Rf, the fluoropolyether having amolecular weight distribution (PD) of 1.0 to 1.5.
 2. The compound asdefined in claim 1, wherein n is 3 or 4, and x, y and z are each 0 or apositive real number to give the above number average molecular weightof 1000 to
 3000. 3. The compound as defined in claim 1, wherein n is 3,and x, y and z are each 0 or a positive real number to give the abovenumber average molecular weight of 1800 to
 2200. 4. A lubricantcontaining a compound of formula (I):

wherein n is 2, 3 or 4, m is 2, R is C₁₋₄ fluoroalkyl and Rf is—CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂— or —CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂— inwhich x, y and z are each 0 or a positive real number to give a numberaverage molecular weight of 500 to 4000 to a fluoropolyether of theformula HOCH₂—Rf—CH₂OH including said Rf, the fluoropolyether having amolecular weight distribution (PD) of 1.0 to 1.5.
 5. The lubricant asdefined in claim 4, wherein n is 3 or 4, and x, y and z are each 0 or apositive real number to give the above number average molecular weightof 1000 to
 3000. 6. The lubricant as defined in claim 4, wherein n is 3,and x, y and z are each 0 or a positive real number to give the abovenumber average molecular weight of 1800 to
 2200. 7. A magnetic diskcomprising a substrate having at least a recording layer and aprotective layer formed thereover and a lubricating layer provided overthe resulting surface, the lubricating layer containing a compound offormula (I):

wherein n is 2, 3 or 4, m is 2, R is C₁₋₄ fluoroalkyl and Rf is—CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(x)(CF₂O)_(y)CF₂— or —CF₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂CF₂O)_(z)CF₂CF₂— inwhich x, y and z are each 0 or a positive real number to give a numberaverage molecular weight of 500 to 4000 to a fluoropolyether of theformula HOCH₂—Rf—CH₂OH including said Rf, the fluoropolyether having amolecular weight distribution (PD) of 1.0 to 1.5.
 8. The magnetic diskas defined in claim 7, wherein n is 3 or 4, and x, y and z are each 0 ora positive real number to give the above number average molecular weightof 1000 to
 3000. 9. The magnetic disk as defined in claim 7, wherein nis 3, and z are each 0 or a positive real number to give the abovenumber average molecular weight of 1800 to 2200.